The cost of an EPC is set by the market and market demand. All EPCs are valid for 10 years.

You don’t need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your commercial property if you can demonstrate that:

• The lease is only being renewed or extended
• It’s a temporary building that will be used for less than 2 years
• It’s a detached, non-residential building with a total floor space less than 50 square metres
• The building is due to be demolished and there are relevant planning permissions as well as official consents if it’s a listed building or in a conservation area
• It is an industrial site, workshop or non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use a lot of energy, eg it isn’t air conditioned
• The property is being bought following a compulsory purchase order from the court
• It’s a place of worship

You can only get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from a commercial energy assessor. The type of assessor you’ll need will depend on the complexity and features of the building. If you need advice on choosing one, speak to one of our team at PPS where we can recommend a commercial (non-domestic) energy assessor.

Your property will need a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) and an advisory report if all the following apply:

• It has a total floor area of over 1,000 square metres
• It’s at least partially occupied by a public authority or an institution providing public services
• It’s frequently visited by the public

DECs are known as an Energy Performance Certificates in Scotland.

Examples of buildings that must have a DEC include:

• Local authority buildings
• Libraries
• Public sports facilities such as leisure centres
• Education centres such as schools, universities and colleges
• NHS trusts